Text by: Charmaine Lingdas, Angelou Mendoza, and Ehcel Hurna
Photos by: Charmaine Lingdas, Angelou Mendoza, and Erlyn Pareja

Women who are working passionately in serving the country through the UP Manila Community were honored during the celebration of the National Women’s Month in March.

Dr. Gina S. Salazar, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, recognized the efforts of the female workforce in making the university’s daily operations highly efficient.

“Let us all be aware of and be appreciative of the efforts of all the women of UP Manila and their contribution in making our daily tasks in our respective offices or units highly efficient,” she said in a flag-raising ceremony in March.

Chancellor Michael L. Tee highlighted the Philippines’ commendable stance as a Southeast Asian country that prioritizes gender parity. However, in the global perspective, the Philippines ranked at 68.8% in terms of gender equality. He pointed out that with the current annual rate of parity increase standing at a mere 0.3%, it would take another century to attain true equality.

“Ang ating unibersidad ay inaasahan ko na magiging isang lugar kung saan isusulong natin ang pantay-pantay na pagtrato sa ating mga kawani at higit sa lahat ito yung ituturo natin sa ating mga mag-aaral. If we continue to emphasize equality amongst our students then they will lead a life where they will continually respect women and empower women in a manner that befits their role in our society,” stressed Chancellor Tee. He also extended his commendation to Dean Melflor Atienza for his exemplary leadership in guiding the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions (NTTC-HP) to receive recognition and accreditation from The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU).

Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, Director of the Office of International and Local Linkages, also expressed gratitude for the active participation of the UP Manila community in celebrating National Women’s Month.

UP’s equal opportunities for women were also highlighted in another flag-raising ceremony led by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) in the same month.

HRDO Supervising Administrative Officer Jorel Manalo shared a poignant reflection through a short poem, emphasizing the significant role of women in UP Manila.

LikhaBABAIHAN

An event showcasing works by women artisans was held on March 13 to 15, 2024 at the UP Manila – Museum Of A History Of Ideas (MHI). Paintings, printed sticker designs, colorful garments, necklaces, and bracelets were some of the products that were showcased in the booths in partnership with Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan and UP Manila Center for Gender and Women Studies (CGWS).

The three-day event also saw the unveiling of the mural painting prepared by the UGATLahi Artist Collective which featured eight renowned Filipino women: Maria Paz Mendoza, the first female member of the Board of Regents of the UP; Honoria Acosta- Sison, first Filipino female doctor; Maria Orosa, food technologist and humanitarian, Agueda Kahabagan, a Filipina military general and member of Katipunan; Trinidad Tecson, also known as “Mother of Biak-na-Bato” for fighting for the nation’s independende during the Philippine-American War; Paz Marquez Benitez, writer, educator, and editor; Josefa Llanes-Escoda, Girl Scout Founder; and Francisca Reyes-Aquino, National Artist for Dance.

Kababaihan at Etnisidad The UPM CGWS and the CAS Office of the Gender Program also organized a discussion titled, “Kababaihan at Etnisidad”on March 13, 2024. The discussion centered on gender equality, social justice and equal opportunity, and gender discrimination on women of different ethnicities.

Mary Jane Rodriguez-Tatel, Associate Professor from UP Diliman,shared her research on Philippine indigenous people’s culture, their historical constructs, sudden minoritization and dehumanization. She also tackled the role of women in the Philippine culture in her discussion about “Katutubong Kababaihan sa Panitikang Bayan/ Panitikang Pasalita: Mga Tinig na Bumabawi ng Kasaysayan.”

Grace P. Odal-Devora, PhD, a retired Professor of UP Manila, shared folkloric stories such as myths and legends about pearls and women on the “Diwang Mutya sa Usaping Kababaihan at Etnisidad.”

“Everything is a matter of energy. Energy is consciousness. Ang sandata ng puso ay pag-ibig. Ito ang diwa ng mutya sa usaping kababaihan at etnisidad,” Odal-Devora added as she concluded her talk.

Kakay Tolentino, a National Coordinator in BAI Indigenous Women’s Network, delved on the topic “Indigenous Women’s Situation and Continuing Struggle: A Quest for Ethnicity Rights, Land Resources, and Self Determination.” ■